KL-KILLING-LD HARTAL

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Press Trust of India

May 29, 2018

UPDATED: May 29, 2018 15:57 IST

'Honour killing': Hartal hits normal life in Kottayam

(Eds: Adds fresh input; reax of Congress leaders)

Kottayam/Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 (PTI) Normal life was
affected today in Kottayam district following a dawn-to-dusk
hartal called by various political parties and Dalit
organisations to protest the alleged honour killing of a
23-year-old man.

Shops, markets, and business establishments remained
closed in several parts of the district while private bus
terminus in various towns wore a deserted look in view of the
hartal called by parties including the Congress and BJP.

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operated
its long-distance services from the district.

Kevin P Joseph, a Dalit Christian, was abducted and
killed by a gang of criminals allegedly engaged by his
fiancees' relatives.

His body was found in a river in Kollam district
yesterday.

Joseph's fiancee, whose father is a Christian and mother
a Muslim, alleged laxity on the part of police when she
approached the Gandhinagar police station near here with a
missing complaint.

Former chief minister and Congress working committee
member A K Antony said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should
take responsibility for the alleged lapse on the part of
police in dealing with the case.

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly Ramesh
Chennithala demanded resignation of Vijayan.

Meanwhile, the body of the man was brought to his native
Kumaranellore village amid poignant scenes. After locals paid
their homage, it was taken for burial.

Earlier, Joseph's fiancee told reporters in Kottayam that
she did not get justice from the police.

The police did not move even after she appealed to the
Sub Inspector that Joseph's life was in danger and he should
be rescued, she claimed.

Bursting into tears, she said she was Joseph's wife and
would stay in his residence.

Relatives of the deceased man have alleged he was
tortured and killed by the gang engaged by his fiancee's
brother, two days after they filed a joint application for
marriage registration at a sub-registrar office near here.

Meanwhile, autopsy of Joseph was conducted at the
Government Medical College Hospital here.

A case has been registered against 10 persons, including
the fiancee's brother in connection with the incident.

Kerala Human Rights Commission has said it was suspected
to be a case of honour killing and ordered the state police
chief to submit a report in three weeks.

Sub-Inspector M S Shibu and Grade ASI Sunnymon of the
Gandhinagar police station were yesterday suspended for laxity
while Kottayam District Superintendent of Police V M Mohammed
Rafique transferred following the incident.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has described the
incident as "unfortunate" and said it should not have
happened.

Antony said there was a grave lapse on the part of the
police in dealing with the case and it cannot be justified.

"The government and Chief Minister has to take the
responsibility for this', he said.

He also said it was not proper for the Kerala society to
remain silent over the honour killing.

In a similar incident, a girl was killed allegedly by her
father in Malappuram a month ago, Anotny said adding "now
another honour killing has happened" in the state.

These honour killings actually point to the degradation
of cultural and social values, he said.

"Casteism and primitive rituals which the state had
driven away through social reforms have started to come
back...Kerala is virtually turning as lunatic asylum as
described by Swami Vivekananda," he said.

The general public, political leadership and social
organisations also should perform their responsibilities,
he added.

Chennithala demanded the resignation of Vijayan, claiming
that the state police force under him had crumbled.

Suspension of a few police personnel in connection with
the incident was an eye wash, he added. PTI COR TGB JRK
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This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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